Senses of Smell and Taste when Aging

How senses of taste and smell will start to decline when a person reaches the age of 45

Most healthy people can easily identify well over 10,000 different odors or smell. The odor molecules touch the nerve endings (sensors) in the nose, which communicate directly with the memory centers. So it is true that a smell could directly stimulates the memories in the human brain.

However, the senses of smell and taste will start to decline after the age of 45. This is probably due, in part, to a low concentration of zinc in the blood. It is also due to the changes in the sensory nerves of the nose and tongue, which are sometimes damaged by smoking. Other causes of decline are diseases such as Alzheimer’s, underactive thyroid or folic acid deficiency. Generally, women do better than men in smell and taste tests.

Checking the senses of your nose and tongue:

Have you had frequent nose infections, sinusitis or a nose operation?

Yes – 1 No – 0

Do other people in the same room notice odors that you don’t?

Yes – 1 No – 0

Have you ever been told that you smell (either bad or good) without your realizing it?

Yes – 1 No – 0

Do you smell petrol or exhaust fumes when you are out in a busy street?

Yes – 0 No – 1

When you are walking in the park, do you notice the smell of freshly cut grass?

Yes – 0 No – 1

Are you or have you recently been a smoker?

Yes – 2 No – 0

Does your smoke alarm go off before you can smell anything burning? (Answer `Yes’ if you don’t have a smoke alarm.)

Yes – 1 No – 0

Have you ever had any head injuries?

Yes – 1 No – 0

Do you enjoy eating your food?

Yes – 0 No – 1

If you eat garlic, onions or curry, can you still smell the odour in your mouth after you finish eating?

Yes – 0 No – 1

Do you frequently make an effort to smell flowers/your food/other scents?

Yes – 0 No – 1

Score

0-1: Your senses of smell and taste are healthy.
2 and above: Your senses of smell and taste are starting to give way. Avoid smoking, since it can destroy the olfactory nerves in the nose. Folic acid supplements may help. See your doctor just in case there is something seriously wrong.